Today in Music: A look back at pop music

Today's birthdays include the late Ritchie Valens, who was born in 1941; the late Mary Wells was born in 1943; J. Geils Band harmonica player Magic Dick, aka Richard Salwitz, in 1945 (age 57); Pete "Overend" Watts, bassist with Mott the Hoople, in 1949 (age 53); Stevie Wonder and Peter Gabriel, both in 1950 (age 52); Roxy Music drummer Paul Thompson in 1951 (age 51); Deacon Blue's Lorraine McIntosh in 1964 (age 38); and Darius Rucker, lead singer for Hootie and the Blowfish, in 1968 (age 34).

Today's musical milestones:

In 1975, country's Bob Wills died from a stroke at age 70.

In 1977, the Jam's first album -- "In the City" -- was released.

In 1985, Bruce Springsteen married actress Julianne Philips in a secret candlelight midnight church ceremony in Lake Oswego, Oregon. She would file for divorce three years later on the grounds he was romantically involved with E Street Band backing singer Patti Scialfa.

In 1987, songwriters Stephen Bishop and David Foster got top honors at the 35th annual BMI pop awards.

In 1991, "In Bed With Madonna" was screened out of competition at the Cannes International Film Festival. The documentary was shot during Madonna's 1990 "Blonde Ambition Tour."

In 1995, Diana Ross returned to Bessemer, Ala. -- where she lived as a girl -- to shoot the cover photo for her upcoming album, as well as film a documentary on her life.

In 1996, a thief broke into The Cure's van parked in front of a New York hotel, stealing the road manager's suitcase containing thousands of dollars in expense money, the group's return tickets in London, and lead singer Robert Smith's passport.

In 1997, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds was named songwriter of the year at the 45th annual BMI Pop Awards in Los Angeles.

Also in 1997, a Los Angeles judge dismissed the wrongful-termination lawsuit filed by a former security guard against Michael Jackson.

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